What Is the Doctrine of Adoption? (Basics of the Faith) by Michael A. Milton

Basics of the Faith

by Michael A. Milton

If God adopted us, in what way are we part of his family? Do we really belong to him? Mike Milton reveals the scriptural teaching that shows what our heavenly adoption truly means.

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published January 3, 2012

About the author

Michael A. Milton and his family live in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the host of the national Bible teaching television program Faith for Living, a songwriter and recording artist, and the author of numerous books and articles. Previously he was the senior minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee and is currently Chancellor and CEO elect of Reformed Theological Seminary and the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of Pastoral Theology, there.

Reviews

[Camryn Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not going to put this on Goodreads, this is something I just picked up at a conference forever ago and never read but there was one particular part I didn't like. First is his claim that his aunt Eva having a radically biblical view of adoption and his example being that she only ever claimed him as her son and never told others he was adopted. Telling others you are adopted does not diminish the personal relationship you have built with your parents or change the circumstances of how you were raised. As someone who is adopted, I think there is so much joy in that story and God gets glory in the telling of it. I also just did not enjoy the writing style as it felt like the author had a thesorous next to him changing common words to big words that almost made sentences illegible (or maybe I am just dumb or taking his earlier adoption comment personally lol).

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief but very good introduction and explanation of the doctrine of adoption, that teaching of the Bible and the Christian faith whereby God the Father chooses people to redeem and unites them to himself and confers upon them the status of his own children along with all the blessings and benefits of family. This is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment. However, brief as it is, the author treats the subject not only by exploring some of the specific passages from Scripture through which the doctrine of adoption has been formulated by the church, but he speaks to several Old and New Testament examples of people who were adopted into God's family and shows from the narratives the more personal side of the doctrine as well as how adoption has always been plan A. This is also a very pastoral treatment, with much encouragement for believers and praise for God woven throughout the text. The author makes the case that, while Justification is the great legal declaration of a Christian's standing before God, Adoption is a doctrine with more comfort and blessing attached to it. This will help people to develop a richer understanding of the importance of the doctrine of adoption and, if taken to heart, will go a long way to comforting those who struggle with doubts in their relationship with God.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the Doctrine of Adoption
Michael A. Milton
Unfolds the scriptural-theological foundations of the doctrine of adoption, showing it as a distinct doctrine in its own right, and relating this foundational concept to the believer's life.
This booklet was a great read. It had analogies that were well used and personal to the author. It was one of the best booklets out there because it was so intimately written about his and our adoption into the family of Christ. I found the entire booklet to be powerful and worth the time spent to better understand this topic. Anyone reading this booklet would benefit from the scripture references and the real life adoption of the author and others.
I would like to thank Net Galley and P & R Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far from merely another word picture or analogy, adoption is at the core of what the Gospel means. In this personal yet pastoral reflection, Milton draws from Scripture, his own experience, and the example of human adoption to demonstrate the power of God’s adoptive act toward His children. While brief in length, Milton manages to be broad in scope and application. A helpful introduction to the doctrine, conversant with the current spectrum of literature on adoption.